[Vitamin D--a panacea in nephrology and beyond]

Abstract

Vitamin D and its active analogues play an essential role in maintaining the calcium and phosphate homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency may be a consequence of insufficient dietary supply, impaired intestinal absorption, insufficient exposure of the skin to the ultraviolet radiation, or liver and kidney failure. The consequences of mineral metabolism disorders and in particular vitamin D depletion are osteoporosis, increased cardiovascular diseases, immune system impairment and increased morbidity and mortality in patients with end stage of renal disease. These abnormalities are common in patients with chronic kidney disease. Recent clinical studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation in patients with its deficiency, contribute to decreased frequency of bone disorders, cardiovascular incidents, lower risk of several malignancies and to improvement of immune system response regardless of renal function.